WARRACKNABEAL EDUCATION PRECINCT
The creation of the Warracknabeal Education Precinct was a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the regional town of Warracknabeal and its surrounds. After years of campaigning and lobbying for better educational opportunities for their community, the redevelopment of the Werrigar Street site to accommodate primary, secondary, and special developmental schools has transformed the learning environment for students across the region.
Client
Victorian School Building Authority
Project Type
Education/ Masterplan
Traditional Owners
Jardwadjali people
Completed
2019/ 2023
A cohesive campus
The Warracknabeal Education Precinct project serves as a physical manifestation of the schools’ educational values. By providing an inclusive, innovative, and community-oriented space, the project aligns with the schools’ philosophy of preparing students not only for academic success but also for active engagement and responsible citizenship within their community.
A cohesive campus that did not segregate each school community into its own silo was a priority from the inception of the project. Whilst the safety of SDS and younger primary students was acknowledged, it was important to all stakeholders that the site was not a divided community, and that students and staff could move and mix freely across the campus.
Public interface
Whilst the sharing of internal and external facilities by the three schools was an objective from the beginning, as the design process evolved it became evident that the precinct should also engage with the wider community and provide a broader range of opportunities to the community of Warracknabeal.
The setback of the school fencing along Werrigar Street and the provision of bus waiting shelters, street furniture, and landscaping blur the boundary between the school and the street, providing a welcoming public entrance to the site. The gymnasium building, suitable for sport, performance, and community gatherings, not only benefits students but also fosters a sense of unity between the school and the surrounding community.
KDA Team
Sarah Morrison, Claire Carson, Dominic On, Karolien Vanhee, Allison Jessup
Acknowledgements
Photographer
Shayne Hill